New Year Resolutions ~ Explanation of the Poem

I will drain
Long draughts of quiet
As a purgation;

Explanation

In these lines the poetess describes her mental state and the way she would drink to purify her soul. She says that she will drink wine at night secretly. She will have long draughts during night and will purge herself from all kinds of evils. This will assist her in helping other people because her own mind and spirit will be free from all types of evils. “Long draughts of Quiet” also suggests that she will keep quiet most of time. This will be the best means for the purification of her soul and it will help her in leading beneficial and successful life. She says; she will talk less and hear more and mould her life into betterment.

Remember
Twice daily
Who I am;

Explanation

In the given lines Elizabeth says, she will remember herself twice daily, in the evening and in the morning. She will take into consideration what her aim of creation is. She will try to understand the purpose of life in general. Perhaps she means that she should recognize herself, which will help her in recognizing God and leading life for benefit of others.

Will lie o' nights
In the bony arms
Of Reality and comforted

Explanation

These are concluding lines of the poem. Here, the poetess says she will accept reality. While, sleeping at night, she will consider the bitter reality of life. During the new year she will make some promises and pledges. She will sleep on thin, less-fleshy arms of reality. Accepting reality and facts is always a difficult thing, but she will accept it bravely. She will feel relieved and satisfied, when she comes to know that she has spent her life for the benefit of others. The image of bony arms is a hard reality. Even then she will get delight and feel comforted when she has fulfilled her promises and resolutions, she has made on the start of the new year

I will drain
Long draughts of quiet
As a purgation;

Remember
Twice daily
Who I am;

Will lie o' nights
In the bony arms
Of Reality and comforted

explanation


At the beginning of a new year, the poetess does not receive it in a traditional manner. She does not receive it in an idle and passive way. She believes that life must be spent consciously and with a sense of responsibility. We must take stock of our virtues and weakness in the beginning of the year. She resolves to examine and analyze her own behaviour. She will dig deep into her own mind and soul in order to find out her follies and short- comings.

These long hours of meditation will help her in clearing her-self. She wants to start the New Year as a better and realistic person. She does not want to repeat the mistakes she did last year. She will also think of her good or bad deeds every night.She will determine to correct and improve her self every day. She will try to determine twice a day who she really is. In this way she will find out her real worth as a human being.

She will think over her weakness and blunders with a cool mind and feel ashamed on them. She will also strive to collect her behaviour in future. She will also seek advice from her elders and try to be as good as possible. In this way she will welcome the New Year with new zeal and noble ambitions.